System for medical imaging

ABSTRACT

A patient imaging system for creating visual representations for analysis includes an imaging source and a patient support disposed proximate the imaging source configured to receive and support the patient. An imaging device is disposed adjacent to the patient support and incorporates at least one detector, one or more slats cooperating with the at least one detector and a collimator disposed between the one or more slats and patient support having a plurality of links adjustably positionable on the collimator. The plurality of links receive and support imaging plates that may be adjusted to provide a variety of image settings such that the imaging device and imaging source define a pre-determined imaging volume in an imaging region for the patient positioned in the imaging system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.15/914,563 filed Mar. 7, 2018, entitled “SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL IMAGING,”which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/526,549 filedMay 12, 2017, entitled “SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL IMAGING,” which is theNational Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2015/060910entitled “SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL IMAGING” filed Nov. 16, 2015, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/080,239 entitled“SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL IMAGING” filed on Nov. 14, 2014, all of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging system to create avisual representation for analysis.

BACKGROUND

Imaging systems have revolutionized the medical industry. Apractitioner's ability to identify, evaluate and propose treatment for apatient's medical condition is simplified with each advance in medicalimaging technology. Medical imaging seeks to reveal internal structureshidden by the skin and bones, as well as to diagnose and treat disease.Medical imaging also establishes a database of normal anatomy andphysiology to make it possible to identify abnormalities.

One such form of medical imaging is known as Single-Photon EmissionComputerized Tomography or SPECT. SPECT is a nuclear medicinetomographic imaging technique using gamma rays to providethree-dimensional information. This information is typically presentedas cross-sectional slices through the patient, but can be freelyreformatted or manipulated as required.

The technique typically includes delivering a gamma-emittingradioisotope or radionuclide into the patient through injection into thebloodstream. On occasion, the radioisotope is a simple soluble dissolvedion, such as a radioisotope of gallium (III). A marker radioisotope isattached to a specific ligand to create a radio ligand, whose propertiesbind it to certain types of tissues, allowing the combination of ligandand radiopharmaceutical to be carried and bound to a place of interestin the body, where the ligand concentration is seen by a gamma-camera.The prevalence of coronary artery disease and the role SPECT imagingplays in its diagnosis continue to keep cardiac SPECT a criticalmodality in cardiac imaging.

SUMMARY

A patient imaging system for creating visual representations foranalysis includes an imaging source and a patient support disposedproximate the imaging source configured to receive and support thepatient. An imaging device is disposed adjacent to the patient supportand incorporates at least one detector, one or more slats cooperatingwith the at least one detector and a collimator disposed between the oneor more slats and patient support having a plurality of links adjustablypositionable on the collimator. The plurality of links receive andsupport imaging plates that may be adjusted to provide a variety ofimage settings such that the imaging device and imaging source define apre-determined imaging volume in an imaging region for the patientpositioned in the imaging system.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a collimator for use adjacent animaging region of an imaging device includes a housing having a centralportion, an inner concave shaped working area disposed adjacent theimaging region and an outer component storage area. The outer componentstorage area includes a plurality of arms extending radially outwardfrom the central portion of the housing, the arms having an elongatebody terminating at a rounded distal end. The outer component storagearea may include five arm portions extending radially outward from thecentral portion of the housing.

At least one track is disposed on a periphery of the collimator housing.A plurality of links including one or more cam followers that movablyengage the at least one track. The outer component storage areacooperates with the concave working area of the housing to form a closedloop arrangement increasing the linear distance of the track on thecollimator housing. A preload wheel cooperates with the drive mechanismto translate the plurality of links about the track.

A drive mechanism adjustably positions the plurality of links about atravel path defined by the track on the housing. The drive mechanismincludes a motor, a reducing gear driven by the motor and a camrotatably connected to the reducing gear engaging the one or more camfollowers of the plurality of links. The drive mechanism may alsoinclude at least one encoder cooperating with the motor configured toidentify position of the plurality of links and a controller inelectrical communication with the at least one encoder and motor tomonitor and position of the plurality of links in the track on theperiphery of the housing.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of links receive andsupport one or more imaging plates that are moved by the plurality oflinks to position the imaging plates in the concave working area of thehousing adjacent the imaging region of the imaging device. The track ofthe housing may be configured to receive 240 links provided in eightsets of thirty links. The plurality of links may be positioned on thetrack about 0.06 millimeters apart from the adjacent link.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, an imaging device for use in apatient imaging system includes at least one detector, one or more slatscooperating with the at least one detector and a collimator. Thecollimator includes a housing having a central portion configured toreceive and support the at least one detector and one or more slats, aninner concave shaped working area defining an imaging region and anouter component storage area having a plurality of arms extendingradially outward from the central portion of the housing. The outerstorage compartment area arms include an elongate body terminating at arounded distal end. The outer component storage area of the collimatorhousing may include five arm portions extending radially outward fromthe central portion of the housing.

At least one track disposed on about a periphery of the collimatorhousing. A plurality of links include one or more cam followers thatmovably engage the at least one track. A drive mechanism adjustablypositions the plurality of links about a travel path defined by thetrack on the housing. The drive mechanism includes a motor, a reducinggear driven by the motor and a cam rotatably connected to the reducinggear engaging the one or more cam followers of the plurality of links.The drive mechanism further comprises at least one encoder cooperatingwith the motor configured to identify position of the plurality of linksand a controller in electrical communication with the at least oneencoder and motor to monitor and position of the plurality of links inthe track on the periphery of the housing.

The plurality of links receive and support one or more imaging platesthat are moved by the plurality of links to position the imaging platesin the concave working area of the housing adjacent the imaging regionof the imaging device. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the imagingplates mounted to the plurality of links are configured in a first platearrangement to acquire a scout scan using a relatively large, highsensitivity pre-determined imaging volume and are configured in a secondplate arrangement to acquire an image of a patient. In anotherembodiment of the disclosure, the imaging plates mounted to theplurality of links are configured in a third plate arrangement for imageattenuation correction to increase diagnostic accuracy of myocardialperfusion single-photon emission computerized tomography imaging and areconfigured in a fourth plate arrangement wherein a set of thin verticallead plates are positioned to allow for computerized tomography orthermoacoustic computerized tomography imaging.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a patient imaging systemincludes an imaging device having at least one detector and one or moreslats cooperating with the at least one detector. A collimator isdisposed proximate the imaging device including a housing having acentral portion, an inner concave shaped working area and an outercomponent storage area having a plurality of arms extending radiallyoutward from the central portion of the housing, the arms having anelongate body terminating at a rounded distal end. At least one track isdisposed on a periphery of the housing. A plurality of links areconfigured to receive imaging plates, the links including one or morecam followers that movably engage the at least one track.

A patient support cooperates with the inner concave shaped working areaof the collimator to receive and support the patient. An imaging sourceis disposed proximate the patient support and an imaging region iscreated between the imaging source and collimator of the imaging devicedefined proximate the concave working area of the collimator and patientsupport. The imaging plates on the plurality of links are configured inarrangements to provide a variety of image settings such that theimaging device and imaging source may define a pre-determined imagingvolume in the imaging region for the patient positioned in the imagingsystem.

The collimator of the patient imaging system may include a drivemechanism to adjustably position the plurality of links about a travelpath defined by the track on the housing. The drive mechanism includes amotor, a reducing gear driven by the motor and a cam rotatably connectedto the reducing gear engaging the one or more cam followers of theplurality of links to position the imaging plates on the links inposition adjacent the imaging region. The drive mechanism furthercomprises at least one encoder cooperating with the motor configured toidentify position of the plurality of links and a controller inelectrical communication with the at least one encoder and motor tomonitor and position of the plurality of links in the track on theperiphery of the housing.

The patient support may include an adjustably positionable seat movableto a variety of positions relative to the imaging device to allowprecise placement of the patient in the imaging region. Alternatively,the imaging device may be adjustably positioned relative to the patientsupport to allow precise placement of the patient in the imaging region.The imaging source and imaging device may utilize a combination ofsingle photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computerizedtomography (CT) to create imaging information for evaluation.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages ofthe disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the embodiment(s) and best mode(s) for carrying out thedisclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging system in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an imaging deviceincorporating a collimator for use in the imaging system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of operation of the imaging device of theimaging system;

FIGS. 4(a)-(f) are schematic views representing exemplary alignmentfeatures of the imaging device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper surface of the imaging devicefor the imaging system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower surface of the imaging device ofthe imaging system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the drive system of thecollimator of the imaging device for use with embodiments of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view a portion of the collimator illustratingplates for use with the imaging device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of thedisclosure that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Wheneverpossible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts orsteps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale.For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such astop, bottom, left, right, up, over, above, below, beneath, rear, andfront, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar todirectional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure in any manner.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary system and method for creatingvisual representations or imaging of a patient for analysis by a medicalprofessional is shown. It should be understood that many of the featuresdescribed and shown in FIGS. 1-4, while known in the art, areillustrated herein for reference purposes as they relate to theinventive concept of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the imaging system 10 includes a patient support 12that may be affixed to a base or floor configured to receive and supporta patient and an imaging device, generally referred to by numeral 16,disposed adjacent the patient support 12. Patient support 12 may beformed in a variety of configurations, such as a horizontal support suchas a mobile table, hospital bed or the like. The patient support 12 maybe adjustably positionable to allow positioning of a patient in up tothree degrees of freedom to ensure the patient is properly positioned inthe imaging system.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, patient support 12 may include aseat placed in a fixed position or may be adjustably positionable andmovable to a variety of positions relative to the imaging device toallow easy entry and exit of patient from the imaging system or to allowprecise placement of the patient adjacent the imaging device in animaging region, generally represented by reference number 18.Alternatively, imaging device 16 may be adjustably positionable relativeto the patient support 12 to accomplish a similar objective.

An imaging source 20 may be disposed proximate the patient support 12and opposite the imaging device 16 so as to project energy toward theimaging device. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the imaging systemutilizes single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In anotherembodiment of the disclosure, the imaging system utilizes computerizedtomography (CT) imaging. In yet another embodiment of the disclosure,the imaging system may implement multiple imaging techniquessimultaneously, such as SPECT and CT together to provide imaginginformation to the medical professional for evaluation. Exemplaryimaging methods may also include X-ray radiography or fluoroscopy,positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound, or magnetic resonanceimaging.

As is shown in FIG. 1, a patient 14 may be positioned on the patientsupport 12 within the imaging region 18 of the imaging device 16, suchthat the patient 14 is disposed between the imaging source 20 and theimaging device 16. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an imaging device 16for use with embodiments of the disclosure is shown in greater detail.FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary imaging device 16 incorporating at leastone detector 22 cooperating with one or more slats 24. A collimator 26may be disposed between the at least one detector 22, one or more slats24 and the patient support 14 as shown in FIG. 1.

Collimator 26 generally includes a body-contouring design with a largearea, high stopping-power, high packing-fraction detector 22 coupledwith the slats 24 and plates 28 in the collimator 26 as best shown inFIG. 3. A plate-slat collimator for use with the imaging system of thedisclosure may be designed around the concept of Pre-Determined ImagingVolume (PIV). As will be described in greater detail below, a motor 30may be incorporated in the collimator to adjustably position theplurality of imaging plates of the plate segments 28 as the plates movealong a path of travel defined by the geometry of the collimator 26.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4, patient 12 is positioned in theimaging region 18 of imaging system 10. It is understood that FIG. 4, asillustrated, is relevant for purposes of appreciating the inventiveconcept of the disclosure as set forth in FIGS. 5-8. The PIV isrepresented by a cylindrical field of view 32. In at least oneembodiment of the disclosure shown in image (a) of FIG. 4, collimator 26may be configured to include a plurality of plate arrangements,generally represented by reference numeral 34, to provide a variety ofimaging features for the system 10.

For example, as shown in image (a) of FIG. 4, the imaging system may usea first plate arrangement 36 to acquire a scout scan using a relativelylarge, high sensitivity PIV 32. In addition to localizing the target 38of the patient, such as the heart or other relevant organ as shown inimage (b) of FIG. 4, the data from the large scout PIV can be used toaddress any possible truncation artifacts resulting from the follow-upimaging with a small PIV. Based on the results of the scout scan, anappropriate PIV is selected from the available options of imaging platesegment arrangements from the imaging device 16 and the patient may betranslated by the patient support to place the heart in the PIV 32 asshown in image (c) of FIG. 4, and the plate set may be changed toanother plate arrangement such as the second plate arrangement 40 forimaging as shown in image (d) of FIG. 4.

A typical imaging PIV will tightly enclose the heart and allow around12-16 simultaneous non-overlapping projections. The collimator exchangesystem also enables imaging for attenuation correction, while ensuringimage co-registration through the use of a third plate arrangement 42 asshown in image (e) of FIG. 4. It is recognized that attenuationcorrection can increase diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusionSPECT imaging.

After the emission imaging, a set of thin vertical lead plates mayreplace the plates as a fourth plate arrangement 44 of the imagingdevice 16 as shown in image (0 of FIG. 4. In one embodiment of thedisclosure, imaging plates may be vertical lead plates that block mostof the photons emitted from the body, to avoid swamping the detectorduring imaging. The latter may be performed using an integrated linesource, with patient rotated by the patient support for adequatesampling. In the present invention, the slats providing axialcollimation will also be adjustable between high-resolution andhigh-sensitivity modes, without changing the PIV to allow for CT orthermoacoustic computerized tomography (TCT) imaging.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, a collimator 52 for use with an imagingdevice 50 for an imaging system is described in greater detail. Thecollimator of the imaging device may be formed as a precision linkconveyor arrangement for use with a medical nuclear cardiac imagingsystem. The field of view of the imaging device may be optimized byselection and use of a desired number of imaging plate segments toprovide transaxial collimation. It is understood that the imaging devicefor use in FIGS. 5-8 is shown in illustrative purposes in FIGS. 1-4. Forexample, an imaging device is disposed adjacent to the patient supportand incorporates at least one detector, one or more slats cooperatingwith the at least one detector and a collimator disposed between the oneor more slats and patient support having a plurality of links adjustablypositionable on the collimator as shown in FIG. 2 will be used inconnection with the collimator in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, an imaging device 50 in accordance with thedisclosure is provided for use in the imaging system. The collimator 52of imaging device 50 may include a precision link conveyor system thatmay be a transfer device capable of holding about eight sets of thirtylinks, or 240 links total, and be capable of receiving and transferringimaging plates secured to the links into position for use in the imagingprocess. In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, the precisionlink conveyor system of the collimator may adjust the links intoposition adjacent another link with a gap distance of about 0.06millimeters.

Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, the collimator 52 of the imaging deviceincludes a housing 62 having an inner concave shaped working area 63disposed adjacent an imaging region 65, a central portion 66 and anouter storage compartment area 67 having a plurality of arms 64extending radially outward from the central portion 66 of the housing62. In one embodiment of the disclosure shown in FIGS. 5-6, a series offive arms each having an elongate body terminating at a rounded distalend extend radially outward from the central portion 66 of the housing62. It is understood that outer storage compartment area 67 shown inFIG. 5 contemplates inclusion of all of the series of five arms thegeometry and quantity of arms or extensions provided with on the outerstorage compartment area may be adjusted based upon the imagingapplication.

The geometry of the imaging device may be affected by a number offactors, including shapes required for precise imaging, the number oflinks required for imaging, the number of plates or slats or limitingthe overall size of the imaging device. In at least one embodiment ofthe disclosure, the housing 62 of collimator 52 of imaging device 50 maybe configured to include an inner concave working area 63 in the housing62 opposite the outer component storage area 67 to cooperate with theimaging region 65.

A track 76 is disposed about the outer periphery of the housing 62. Thetrack 76 disposed on the outer periphery of the housing may be cut froma single piece of steel for use with custom links machined to adapt tohandle the travel path within the imaging device. The outer componentstorage area cooperates with the concave working area of the housing toform a closed loop arrangement increasing the linear distance of thetrack on the collimator housing.

The number of arms or extensions are provided to maximize the amount oflinks and, thereby, imaging plates supported and used by the imagingsystem while decreasing the overall space requirements and area consumedby the imaging device, allowing for a more compact imaging system. Forexample, arms 64 may be configured to maximize the number of imagingplates for use with the system to obtain linear track distance andreduce the overall size of the unit.

The imaging plates may travel about the outer periphery of the housingaround the arms or extension portions of the component storage area ofthe collimator housing to achieve an increased linear track distance. Anequipment mounting area 68 may be provided on a top surface 70 of thehousing 62, which may be used for the machine working area equipmentrequirements.

Referring now to FIG. 7, collimator 52 utilizes a plurality of links 72formed from a variety of materials, including metals. In at least one ofthe embodiments of the disclosure, the links are formed from aluminum.Each link 72 may include one or more cam followers 74 connected thereto.In one embodiment of the disclosure, four cam followers are connected toeach link. The cam followers 74 movably engage and translate through thetrack 76 to ensure accuracy of movement of the link in one or moredegrees of freedom (DOF). Use of a track may ensure accuracy byeliminating backlash between the link followers and the track.

Imaging plate links 72 may be translated through the track by a drivemechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam 78 rotatably connected toa reducing gear 74 driven by motor 86 disposed on a drive end 88 of thecollimator housing 62. The cam 78 engages the cam followers 74 on thelinks 72. A preload wheel 80 on the non-drive end 82 of the collimator52 cooperates with the drive mechanism to translate the plurality oflinks about the track.

In at least one of the embodiments of the disclosure, the drivemechanism of the collimator of the imaging device may also include anencoder cooperating with the shaft of the motor to identify the positionused for the link exchange system operation. A controller is inelectrical communication with the at least one encoder and motor. Thecontroller may use a one-to-one correspondence between the encoderreading and the position of every moving element of the collimator toensure that the controller monitors the positions of all imaging platelinks due to the large number of the elements.

The plurality of links receive and support one or more imaging plates 56that are moved by the plurality of links 72 to position the imagingplates in the inner concave working area 63 of the housing 62 adjacentthe imaging region 65 of the imaging device 50. As shown generally inFIG. 5 and utilizing FIG. 4 in an illustrative nature, in one embodimentof the disclosure, the imaging plates 56 mounted to the plurality oflinks 72 are configured in a first plate arrangement to acquire a scoutscan using a relatively large, high sensitivity pre-determined imagingvolume, generally referenced by numeral 71, and are configured in asecond plate arrangement to acquire an image of a patient.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the imaging plates mounted tothe plurality of links are configured in a third plate arrangement forimage attenuation correction to increase diagnostic accuracy ofmyocardial perfusion single-photon emission computerized tomographyimaging. In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, the imaging platesare configured in a fourth plate arrangement wherein a set of thinvertical lead plates are positioned to allow for computerized tomographyor thermoacoustic computerized tomography imaging.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8, imaging plates 58 may be secured by avariety of fastening methods or materials to one or more of theplurality of links 72. Each plate 58 may be backed by a supportstructure 60 such as a steel plate to provide supplemental rigidity forthe plate. The plates may utilize overlaps to prevent photons from theimaging process from leaking between the plates.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, collimator 52 may contain severalsets of links 72, with each set dedicated to imaging a specific PIV. Forexample, collimator may include eight sets of imaging plates eachassociated with a link, with each set including a thirty imaging platesconnected to thirty links. The imaging plates 58 on links 72 areexchanged precisely and rapidly, without disturbing the patient, to makeimaging operations practical and accurate. As is best shown in FIG. 6, acollimator plate 56 is secured to link 72 and is moved about the outerperiphery of the collimator housing 62 as link 72 translates throughtrack 76. It is also contemplated that collimator 50 may at leastpartially wrap around the one or more slats and the at least onedetector of the imaging device. The imaging plates may be grouped suchthat each group may be dedicated to an imaging task. In the exemplaryembodiment, the plate segments are moved about the outer periphery ofthe housing to a position proximate the imaging region and patientsupport for imaging.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive anddescriptive of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure isdefined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and otherembodiments for carrying out the claimed disclosure have been describedin detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist forpracticing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

1. A collimator for use adjacent an imaging region of an imaging devicecomprising: a housing having a central portion, an inner concave shapedworking area disposed adjacent the imaging region and an outer componentstorage area having a plurality of arms extending radially outward fromthe central portion of the housing, the arms each having an elongatebody terminating at a rounded distal end; at least one track disposed ona periphery of the housing; a plurality of links including one or morecam followers that movably engage the at least one track; and a drivemechanism adjustably positioning the plurality of links about a travelpath defined by the track on the housing, the drive mechanism includinga motor, a reducing gear driven by the motor and a cam rotatablyconnected to the reducing gear wherein the cam engages the one or morecam followers of the plurality of links, wherein the plurality of linksreceive and support one or more imaging plates that are moved by theplurality of links to position the imaging plates in the inner concaveworking area of the housing adjacent the imaging region of the imagingdevice.
 2. The collimator of claim 1 wherein the drive mechanism furthercomprises at least one encoder cooperating with the motor configured toidentify position of the plurality of links and a controller inelectrical communication with the at least one encoder and motor tomonitor the position of the plurality of links in the track on theperiphery of the housing.
 3. The collimator of claim 1 wherein theplurality of arms comprises five arm portions extending radially outwardfrom the central portion of the housing.
 4. The collimator of claim 3wherein the outer component storage area cooperates with the concaveworking area of the housing to form a closed loop arrangement on thecollimator housing.
 5. The collimator of claim 4 wherein the track ofthe housing is configured to receive 240 links provided in eight sets ofthirty links.
 6. The collimator of claim 4 wherein each of the pluralityof links are positioned on the track of about 0.06 millimeters apartfrom the adjacent link.
 7. The collimator of claim 1 further comprisinga preload wheel cooperating with the drive mechanism to translate theplurality of links about the track.
 8. An imaging device for use in apatient imaging system comprising: at least one detector; one or moreslats cooperating with the at least one detector; a collimator includinga housing having a central portion configured to receive and support theat least one detector and one or more slats, an inner concave shapedworking area defining an imaging region and an outer component storagearea having a plurality of arms extending radially outward from thecentral portion of the housing, each of the arms having an elongate bodyterminating at a rounded distal end and at least one track disposed onabout a periphery of the collimator housing; a plurality of linksincluding one or more cam followers that movably engage the at least onetrack; and a drive mechanism adjustably positioning the plurality oflinks about a travel path defined by the track on the housing, the drivemechanism including a motor, a reducing gear driven by the motor and acam rotatably connected to the reducing gear, wherein the cam engagesthe one or more cam followers of the plurality of links wherein theplurality of links receive and support one or more imaging plates thatare moved by the plurality of links to position the imaging plates inthe concave working area of the housing adjacent the imaging region ofthe imaging device.
 9. The imaging device of claim 8 wherein the drivemechanism further comprises at least one encoder cooperating with themotor configured to identify position of the plurality of links and acontroller in electrical communication with the at least one encoder andmotor to monitor and position of the plurality of links in the track onthe periphery of the housing.
 10. The imaging device of claim 8 whereinthe outer component storage area of the collimator housing furthercomprises five arm portions extending radially outward from the centralportion of the housing.
 11. The imaging device of claim 8 wherein theimaging plates mounted to the plurality of links are configured in afirst plate arrangement to acquire a scout scan using a relativelylarge, high sensitivity pre-determined imaging volume.
 12. The imagingdevice of claim 8 wherein the imaging plates mounted to the plurality oflinks are configured in a second plate arrangement to acquire an imageof a patient.
 13. The imaging device of claim 8 wherein the imagingplates mounted to the plurality of links are configured in a third platearrangement for image attenuation correction to increase diagnosticaccuracy of myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computerizedtomography imaging.
 14. The imaging device of claim 8 wherein theimaging plates mounted to the plurality of links are configured in afourth plate arrangement wherein a set of thin vertical lead plates arepositioned to allow for computerized tomography or thermoacousticcomputerized tomography imaging.
 15. A patient imaging systemcomprising: an imaging device having at least one detector and one ormore slats cooperating with the at least one detector; a collimatordisposed proximate the imaging device including a housing having acentral portion, an inner concave shaped working area and an outercomponent storage area having a plurality of arms extending radiallyoutward from the central portion of the housing, the arms having anelongate body terminating at a rounded distal end; at least one trackdisposed on a periphery of the housing; a plurality of links configuredto receive imaging plates, the links including one or more cam followersthat movably engage the at least one track; a patient supportcooperating with the inner concave shaped working area of the collimatorto receive and support the patient; an imaging source disposed proximatethe patient support; and an imaging region between the imaging sourceand collimator of the imaging device defined proximate the concaveworking area of the collimator and patient support, wherein the imagingplates on the plurality of links are configured in arrangements toprovide a variety of image settings such that the imaging device andimaging source may define a pre-determined imaging volume in the imagingregion for the patient positioned in the imaging system.
 16. The patientimaging system of claim 15 wherein the collimator further comprises adrive mechanism to adjustably position the plurality of links about atravel path defined by the track on the housing, the drive mechanismincluding a motor, a reducing gear driven by the motor and a camrotatably connected to the reducing gear engaging the one or more camfollowers of the plurality of links to position the imaging plates onthe links in position adjacent the imaging region.
 17. The imagingsystem of claim 15 wherein the drive mechanism further comprises atleast one encoder cooperating with the motor configured to identifyposition of the plurality of links and a controller in electricalcommunication with the at least one encoder and motor to monitor andposition of the plurality of links in the track on the periphery of thehousing.
 18. The patient imaging system of claim 15 wherein the patientsupport comprises an adjustably positionable seat movable to a varietyof positions relative to the imaging device to allow precise placementof the patient in the imaging region.
 19. The patient imaging system ofclaim 15 wherein the imaging device may be adjustably positionedrelative to the patient support to allow precise placement of thepatient in the imaging region.
 20. The patient imaging system of claim15 wherein the imaging source and imaging device utilize a combinationof single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computerizedtomography (CT) to create imaging information for evaluation.